FIFA World Cup 2018: The England XI that will not be playing in Russia

Who would have thought that only one of these four will be playing in Russia?
Who would have thought that only one of these four will be playing in Russia?

Wing-backs: Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand

Clyne and Bertrand were former teammates at Southampton
Clyne and Bertrand were former teammates at Southampton

A year ago, most people would have picked Kyle Walker and Nathaniel Clyne as England’s right-back options for the World Cup.

Clyne was a regular for Liverpool under Klopp and played 37/38 Premier League games in 2016/17 but he only made three Premier League appearances this season after picking up a rare injury. He has now lost his place for both club and country to 19-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold.

On the other wing, Southgate has gone with Danny Rose, Ashley Young, and Fabian Delph. Rose only started 9 Premier League games this season while Young and Delph converted to a left back from their midfield positions this season. Under these circumstances, it is surprising that Bertrand, who played 35 Premier League games and was also one of the better performers for Southampton, wasn’t picked.

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Edited by Anirudh Menon
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